Every time I took a step, people’s gazes followed me, as if curious about what I was about to do.
The feeling of being under constant surveillance was far from pleasant, but it was something I had to endure to some extent.
Taking the protagonist’s place meant drawing the attention of everyone.
The weight I had to bear.
However, it wasn’t heavier than the armor that once covered my body or the duty I carried as a knight.
“Uh… what brings you here?”
A voice laced with a little fear and unease. I greeted the somewhat fragile-looking Taoist by performing a bow and asked.
“Are you Master Hakyun?”
“No, I am Hakjong. Master Hakyun is my senior.”
“…I am Hakyun. Why have you come to seek me, Sir Lion Sword Hero?”
Among the people dressed in Taoist robes, Hakyun stepped forward and spoke, causing all the Taoists to look at me curiously.
Perhaps they found it strange that someone unrelated would suddenly start a conversation. I’d feel the same way if a foreigner suddenly approached me.
“I have always admired the martial arts of Wudang, whose philosophy states ‘Wudang’s techniques do not focus on offense, but they are not to be taken lightly.’
I had hoped to engage in a duel with you at the previous martial gathering, but it unfortunately fell through.”
“Great Hero Wi, are you saying you wish to duel?”
Hakyun looked at me with a bewildered expression. Understandably so, given the unexpected duel proposal. I immediately nodded in agreement and continued.
“Yes. I wish to foster camaraderie through the art of the sword, in a friendly duel.”
“Bonding through swords! Indeed, true martial artists build friendships not through words but through their martial art! Hahahaha!”
Just as I expected, Namgung Hwi, who loves such spectacles, stepped in to stir up the atmosphere.
Though Hakyun still appeared troubled, he seemed to conclude there was no solid reason to refuse my persistence and nodded in agreement.
“All right. If it’s just a friendly duel…”
“This first friendly duel of the Dragon-Peak Gathering shall be between Lion Sword Hero and Sword Dragon Hakyun of the Song Sect!”
“Wudang’s sword against the Western Regions’!”
“This duel is very promising!”
Amidst the enthusiastic reactions of the crowd, I slowly walked to the center of the hall. Hakyun also handed off some items to his companion, then walked into the center with his sword.
Everything was unfolding as expected.
I looked at Hakyun, standing twenty paces away with his sword drawn and saluting. The reflection of the light off the pine-tree pattern on his blade scattered an unusual glow.
“A good duel, please.”
“I hope this match will be enriching for us both.”
I drew my longsword from my waist. As I did and took an offensive stance, gasps could be heard from the crowd.
This was it.
Once we had completed our preparations, Namgung Hwi, who volunteered as the referee, stood between us.
“Following the traditions of the Dragon-Peak Gathering, the use of chi and fatal strikes are forbidden! Beyond that, there are no rules, but I will intervene when a clear winner is determined. Show us your swordsmanship!”
Would I finally get to see Wudang’s swordplay?
A duel that might help elevate my skills had begun.
‘Who would have thought it would come to this…’
Hakyun sighed inwardly, observing the towering man facing him from across the distance. He had not expected to fight the opponent he would have faced in the quarterfinals under these circumstances.
The colored-eyed person known throughout the world as the Lion Sword Hero.
Weiliem (衛利淹).
Whatever his intention was for requesting the duel, the pure competitive spirit and… passion reflected in those blue eyes were unmistakable.
‘I’m not sure what help I can provide, but for swordsmen to build camaraderie through the sword is natural. If we both can gain something from this, it would be good.’
“I initiated this duel, so I will start.”
William lightly pushed off the ground.
The distance between William and Taoist Hakyun, which wasn’t very far—merely twenty steps—quickly diminished to four. The young knights observing the scene turned their gaze to Taoist Hakyun.
The sword technique favored by Hakyun was Youun Jian (柔雲劍), considered an entry-level superior skill in Wudang’s repertoire but one that held its own against the renowned sword techniques of the world.
Wudang’s sword, known for its movements as soft as clouds.
Hakyun’s sword smoothly intercepted William’s in a gentle arc.
‘Though the essence of Wudang’s and Yungong’s sword techniques may differ, they share a similar principle, clashing more intensely than would two hard swords.’
Mokkyeong watched the two with eyes that sparkled. Wudang’s sword, which traditionally incorporates the principle of integration, was rarely matched by a similar style.
In a martial realm where one could easily lose their life in the blink of an eye, dedicating the time to master such a technique that focuses more on subduing than killing was no easy feat.
The speed-driven Quickness.
The extreme transformation-chasing Fantasy.
The overwhelming strength-seeking Strength.
These three widely accepted and practiced sword principles in the martial realm were not those pursued by Wudang. Instead, it was Gentle.
Always gentle, Wudang’s sword is what makes it recognized as the unparalleled martial technique, the reason for their esteemed reputation as the noble southern Wudang (南尊武当).
‘Indeed, Wudang—completely different from other swordsmen.’
William, impressed by the extraordinarily soft yet mild sword, effortlessly redirected Hakyun’s blade. Despite reaching their twentieth exchange, their swords flowed together naturally, akin to a harmonious dance.
“An impressive sword.”
“The Wudang sword is indeed the best in the world.”
Even while fighting with swords, the two maintained a harmonious and friendly atmosphere. It was not a heated and hostile bout, but rather a cooperative dance of swordsmanship.
The martial practitioners watching could only marvel at the peculiar duel, for Wudang’s sword rarely encountered techniques of similar principle.
‘I’ve made the right choice.’
To advance in swordsmanship and elevate one’s skill, experience was crucial.
He valued experience more than simple realization. His rapid elevation had come through the experiences amassed in life-or-death struggles.
Thus, with every swing of the sword, he advanced, taking the moment to observe his opponent’s technique. He naturally moved his body closer to his opponent’s sword.
It was a perilous maneuver, but bold actions were sometimes necessary. When he noticed Hakyun’s sword momentarily pause mid-motion, he quickly swung his sword downward.
If the distance were ignored, this move would have been no different from their previous exchanges.
Hakyun, slightly bewildered, attempted to flow smoothly around William’s sword.
‘Now!’
William, with one hand gripping the sword, reached out his other hand toward Hakyun’s wrist.
‘Tiger Subduing Technique?!’
Reacting instinctively to such an unexpected technique, Hakyun’s hand met William’s.
Their white, soft hand and his rough, large hand briefly intertwined and split apart. Confirming that his attack had been rendered ineffective, William marveled as he questioned.
“Isn’t that Tai Chi?”
“It’s Songyeopso, but its roots lie in Tai Chi.”
“Hearing about it is one thing; it truly is a remarkable martial art.”
“It’s merely a foundational technique.”
‘Indeed, Wudang. If this qualifies as foundational, they are truly exceptional.’
While conversing, the two continued to attack and defend with one hand each.
Drawing forward, pushing back, bending.
Even with the battle reduced to two hands, the spectators could not help but be impressed. Everyone knew just how many hidden stratagems were woven into those intertwined hands.
Some among them wondered what they themselves would have done to counter such a move.
The duel, which had started with swordplay, had evolved into a contest of the Tiger Subduing Technique. Sensing that the fight would not end soon this way, they each took three steps back.
“Let’s quickly conclude this.”
“Agreed.”
William lowered his posture and charged at Hakyun with great momentum, much like a rhino’s charge. Calm and collected, Hakyun assumed his saluting stance while the charging William swung his sword from right to left in a classic horizontal slash. But no one thought the strike would be straightforward.
Hakyun countered with his sword held upright, gently deflecting William’s attack.
‘So light.’
This wasn’t a practice cut.
The moment William’s wrist rotated to strike with the opposite side of the blade, Hakyun barely managed to deflect the strange movement.
‘Having evaded my stratagem, now comes…’
In an instant, Hakyun instinctively leaned back. A posture commonly known as “iron plate crossing.”
The third sword strike narrowly missed Hakyun’s body. Retaining his defensive stance, Hakyun retaliated with a thrust. Barely evading the counterattack in a risky situation, Hakyun quickly recovered and swung his sword.
But William’s sword was already retracted, ready for the next attack. As if moving to block Hakyun’s strike, William lunged forward, then suddenly grasped the blade with his fingers to parry Hakyun’s sword.
‘What?!’
“Reversing the grip of a sword?!”
“Such bizarre techniques exist in Western swordsmanship, truly wondrous!”
“The blade pierces his hand, yet it does not cut, must be protected by inner energy, or…”
In fluid swordplay, all movements should follow the gentle flow of water. However, if there is no room for movement, the flow is restricted.
William raised his sword to the side, breaking Hakyun’s posture, and then spun the sword around, pressing its pommel against Hakyun’s neck.
“…I yield.”
Hakyun exhaled and admitted defeat for the first time in his life with the pommel pressed lightly against his neck.
